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Heather Kanazawa

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Heather Kanazawa’s paintings are deeply rooted in the vivid recollections of her experiences in nature. She is particularly drawn to the sharp contrasts found in the natural world—the cool, crisp blues cutting through forested landscapes or the gentle ripples on a springtime pond. For Kanazawa, these memories are not just fleeting thoughts; they are meticulously cataloged and explored through her creative process, which serves as a bridge between recollection and artistic expression.

Kanazawa’s artwork is an exploration of memory and place, expressed primarily through abstraction. She believes that memories often exist as fragments—echoes of colors, textures, or sounds—rather than as detailed narratives. This abstraction allows her to delve deeper into the essence of these memories, using techniques that involve adding, subtracting, scraping, and layering paint. Through this process, she builds a sense of depth and complexity, allowing each piece to evolve organically, ultimately taking on a life of its own. Her goal is for each painting to transcend its initial inspiration, becoming a new, immersive place for the viewer.

Kanazawa documents her travels, particularly her time in Japan, where she was influenced by the country's blend of Zen philosophy and the bustling pace of modern life. These paintings capture the quiet moments of reflection as well as the dynamic energy of urban existence, encapsulating the duality of stillness and movement in Japanese culture.

Heather Kanazawa (b. 1984) earned her BFA in 2007 and her MA in Art Education in 2011 from Edinboro University. Her recent exhibitions include Glass Growers Gallery in Erie, PA, Crary Art Gallery in Warren, PA, and the Wellsville Creative Arts Center in Wellsville, NY.

portfolio.jpg View images from Kanazawa's 2024 exhibit, Landscapes Reimagined.


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